Luis Aragonés started
his reign as Spain's new boss with a win at the Gran Canaria stadium in Las
Palmas, although Venezuela put up a plucky fight in the end. The veteran
manager included Cañizares, Romero and Víctor in his starting
line up, but it was not until five minutes before the break that they took the
lead, Morientes sweeping in Salgado's cross from close to goal. The South
Americans levelled the scores though on the stroke of half time when Rojas
caught Cañizares by surprise with a long shot. Aragonés made four
attacking changes at the interval, and Espanyol's Tamudo headed two goals, the
first from Víctor's corner and the second from a Reyes cross. Venezuela
pulled one back though in injury time from Castellín.